WIGAN ATHLETIC ICONS: 2004/05 NATHAN ELLINGTON

28 July 2014

Wigan Athletic

The Duke is our fourth icon to join the #WallofColour

Every single player in the squad in the 2004/05 season played a truly incredible role in Latics’ promotion to the Premier League, and none can go unmentioned, making our choice for the campaign’s icon one of the most difficult.

Jason Roberts smashed his way to 21 league goals, Lee McCulloch scored 14. The midfield was instrumental in creating goals for Latics’ front two, including another inspired 46-game season from our 2003/04 icon Jimmy Bullard.

Matt Jackson and Ian Breckin formed a solid defensive partnership in front of John Filan, and Leighton Baines made his England Under 21 debut early that season, going on to play in all but five of Latics’ Championship games.

David Wright, Gary Teale, Nicky Eaden and Alan Mahon also made their impacts on the team, but we couldn’t look beyond the top goal scorer for that season.

At the time of publishing it was difficult for fans to choose as well, with just 8% of your votes on Latics Wall splitting Ellington and Roberts.

Having already notched 35 goals for the club in previous seasons, Nathan Ellington is a natural choice for an icon, and in 2004/05 he scored 24 times, forming the most deadly partnership in the division with Roberts, amassing 45 goals between them.

The Duke’s powerful style and eye for goal mesmerised the Championship that season.

Ellington began the season with back-to-back doubles, scoring twice in a 3-1 away win against West Ham United, and following it up with the same return at home in a 2-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion. (Available to watch by [clicking here])

Four more times the Bradford-born striker would score two in the same game, in big wins against Sheffield United (4-0), Crewe Alexandra (4-1) and Preston North End (5-0) (available to watch by [clicking here]), as well as scoring the only two goals in a 2-0 home victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Despite departing before the beginning of Latics’ first ever Premier League campaign in 2005/06, the Duke will always be remembered as a Latics icon for his tally of 59 league goals in 134 games and the role he played in our journey to the top flight.

Keep your eyes on wiganathletic.com for our next icon.

You can also get involved on Twitter using #wafc or #WallofColour and on Facebook. Start telling us your 2005/06 icon suggestions straight away and voting in our poll on Latics Wall by [clicking here].